About Me!

Welcome to the zoo! I'm Melissa, a mom who's truly living the life of Riley. I've been blessed with a wonderful husband, an absolutely amazing daughter, a happy home, a successful work life and much more! Thanks for taking a break from your journey to learn more about mine.

Yesterday, a funny thing finally occurred to me...my baby is officially past the baby stage! It is a melancholy realization for me because I think all parents hang on in some form or fashion, to that tiny, precious, helpless little creature that you helped bring into this world.

I know that, to me, part of my daughter Riley will always be that little baby, no matter how old she gets. But, where do you actually draw the line between a baby and a toddler? Some sources say one year old, some say two...but for me, the answer came clear as a bell yesterday.

Riley has been getting more and more fussy and temperamental as the last few weeks have passed, but I thought that it could be because of her teething, trying to be more independent, etc. Then, she threw her first REAL temper-tantrum! She wanted to play with my cell phone and I wouldn't let her because it has a touch screen and it slides and I was afraid that she would break it. Oh no! The fury that can be a 16-month old, came out in full force and she got mad!

I mean, she cried and cried and cried! There was snot coming out of her nose and it was blending with the tears which were all over her face. There were boogers everywhere and she eventually even threw herself on the floor and beat her little fists up and down! I was amazed and sort of sad at the same time. Yes, my child was acting like a brat, which never makes any mother happy.

But more than that, it finally hit me that she no longer is crying only for the things she NEEDS, like a baby does, she is now crying for the things that she just WANTS. This is when I finally knew that my daughter was no longer the sweet, tiny, helpless baby that I brought home from the hospital 16 months ago...my daughter is now a full-fledged TODDLER and she's playing for keeps! :)

I'm a former 7th grade Science teacher turned stay-at-home mom that lives in Houston, Texas. I am married to my college sweetheart and have a beautiful daughter named Riley, who definitely keeps me on my toes! I am also involved in starting a small business which would both manufacture and sell an invention that I've patented, called Toothpaste 2 Go. I love interacting with my readers and hope to learn as much about you as you learn about me!

luvtoeat.wordpress.com/ Says:

hi! just found your blog and loving it! will subscribe as soon as i’m done checking out the rest of it. what a great post! this was a great definition of “need vs want” in the mommy world…haahaa. i have a 15 month old who (i suspect) just broke my cell. i’m assuming it’s the iphone you’re talking about? now i have to take mine in to the store to see if they know what’s wrong with it…..grrrrr.
.-= luvtoeat.wordpress.com/´s last blog ..My Own Restaurant, Supermarket, and Hair Salon =-.

Retrogirl66 Says:

My son is 21 months now…he had his first public tantrum at the carwash a month ago(the kind you go inside and watch your car thru big plate glass windows as it is washed) and I laughed, thinking what else can I do, but scoop him up and go outside? It worked….but since, he’s had several major tantrums over the silliest things. Guess it goes with the age…can’t wait till we get past this though! :-) Good Luck!

liz Says:

thanks for the visit and follow; i’m following you back! my youngest is 20 months, and we are SO hitting the terrible 2’s point! just last night at dinner, she didn’t want what i gave her and she sent her plate flying! little stinkers!